The Paradox of Choice
We’ve all been there. Staring at a restaurant menu, scrolling endlessly through Netflix, or trying to pick the perfect skincare product out of a dozen options. Instead of feeling empowered by the abundance of options, instead of feeling more powerful due to the increased freedom we are given, we end up overwhelmed—trapped in a spiral of second-guessing, hesitation, and sometimes, complete inaction.
This is the paradox of choice. More options don’t always make us happier. Sometimes, they just make us feel worse. At first glance, it feels counterintuitive. Choice is supposed to be freeing. The more we have, the more autonomy we can exercise, and the more we should be able to tailor life to our exact preferences. But somewhere along the way, the freedom becomes suffocating. Decisions become burdens instead of opportunities.
I’ve noticed this especially in areas where there shouldn’t be so much stress, things like choosing what book to read next, which productivity method to stick to, or even just how to spend your free time. The problem isn’t necessarily that any one option is bad; it’s that the sheer volume of options raises our expectations. If there are so many paths, shouldn’t I be able to find the perfect one?
And that’s where it gets dangerous.
Paralysis
Instead of choosing something good, we chase something optimal. We hesitate, compare, analyze, delay. And when we do make a choice, the lingering thought remains: What if the other one was better?
It’s not just about consumer products. I think this kind of paralysis leaks into deeper parts of our lives. We think to ourselves, "What major should I choose? What skill should I learn? What kind of person do I want to be?" We treat these choices like they’re irreversible life contracts when really, they’re often not. We change rapidly, and these decisions, unless we actively stick to them, will fade away after a while. Still, the fear of choosing “wrong” can be enough to stop us from starting altogether.
But here’s the thing I’ve been trying to remind myself: very few choices are permanent, and very few choices are perfect. Sometimes it’s better to commit to a good-enough path and walk it than to stand at the crossroads, paralyzed, forever waiting for a sign. Maybe the goal isn’t to make the best choice every time, but to make a choice, learn from it, and adjust along the way.
Life Update!
Summer break is looming, and there's still so much to do. Responsibilities still need to be taken care of, and many subjects still need to be studied. Finals are almost over, however, and I can finally get a bit of respite after an eventful year.
so do i get vanilla or chocolate ice cream
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